Why You Need a Foreign Language - And How to Learn One: English Speaking Professionals and the Global Challenge [Paperback]

Edward Trimnell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1591133343 | ISBN-13: 978-1591133346 | Publication Date: May 2003

This book explores the strategic importance of foreign languages. Topics include the liabilities of American monolingualism, and the advantages of knowing a foreign language when conducting international business. There is also extensive information about how to learn a foreign language.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Booklocker.com (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591133343
• ISBN-13: 978-1591133346
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,246,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Edward Trimnell writes books on a number of topics in the fields of history, language, and business. His books have been used in college classrooms, and quoted by sources as diverse as the U.S. Army and the Wall Street Journal. Edward currently resides in Ohio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Insightful Look at Languages and Language Studies, October 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Why You Need a Foreign Language - And How to Learn One: English Speaking Professionals and the Global Challenge (Paperback)

Mr. Trimnell's main thesis is that English-speakers (and Americans in particular) have voluntarily placed themselves in a position of disadvantage by neglecting to learn other languages. He backs up his position with some convincing data from the worlds of politics and business. There are a few points that he argues a bit too strongly, but his basic arguments are solid.

While other Americans are trying to get everyone else to learn English, Trimnell is basically stating that by relying on the linguistic skills of educated speakers in other countries, we are allowing a small group of foreign voices to shape our insights into other cultures. (As a woman who has done business in Japan and elsewhere in Asia, I can attest that this point of his argument hits the nail on the head.)

As Trimnell says, many Japanese businesspersons can learn about the U.S. market by reading publications written for Americans. American executives, on the other hand, are not able to easily gather information about the Japanese market. Mr. Trimnell also points out that while many people in the world speak a little English, only the educated elite are truly fluent. This has ramifications for tourists and businesspersons alike.

The book also includes some useful tips about how to learn a language. Some of Mr. Trimnell's suggestions are quite helpful, although he stops short of laying out an entire program.(I would have liked to have seen just a bit more detail in this area.)

Additionally, the author discusses some of the major world languages, and their usefulness to businesspersons.

A pretty insightful and useful book, all in all.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Debunking! Should be required reading, October 18, 2004

By 

PennsylvaniaMartha - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Why You Need a Foreign Language - And How to Learn One: English Speaking Professionals and the Global Challenge (Paperback)

I am happy to finally read a book debunking the myth that learning a foreign language no longer makes sense for Americans (or Brits, or Australians) because "everybody" speaks English nowadays. Even as a mere tourist, I was told repeatedly before a trip to Paris that "everybody there speaks English" and that I would never need to use my beginning French. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Try losing your passport in the airport, as I did, and trying to negotiate what steps to take next, without knowing French. Thankfully, my far-more-fluent brother was with me, or I might still be there!

However, this book is directed mostly at professionals and businesspeople and at those aspiring to such careers. I think this book should be required reading for high school freshmen who hope to take part in the global economy, so they can get started on choosing and learning one or more foreign languages without further delay. This book provides the information needed to help students decide which language to pursue; it also provides a real motivation to study seriously.

But this book is more than a debunker and a motivator. It is filled with practical tips for language-learning and key pointers (it is a rare language book that tells you bluntly that knowing "a little bit" of a language will be of no use at all for business purposes and that you will have to work hard and long to achieve the necessary proficiency). And I appreciated the succinct writing style -- there is very little of the usual banter or other padding here. This book is exactly as long as it needs to be.

I recommend this book for businesspeople, for future businesspeople, and for anyone who is intrigued by languages but wonders if it still makes sense to study them in the 21st century. It is also a great help to those who already plan to, or have already started, studying a language but who would like some guidance as to the best way to proceed and the best materials to purchase. Excellent book!

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!, August 23, 2003

By 

Randy "randy310" (Russellville, AR. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why You Need a Foreign Language - And How to Learn One: English Speaking Professionals and the Global Challenge (Paperback)

This little book presents a great case for anyone who is seeking to further their career or just seeking personal enrichment to acquire at least one additional language. The author also debunks the myth of the univerality of English. The book is full of information on the importance of learning a second langage, the most sought after languages by global employers, the relative difficulty of learning each by english speakers, the types of materials that are best for learning them, how to find these materials, and internet sites of news for listening to and for reading almost every language under the sun. All in all this is a must buy for anyone contemplating picking up one or more additional langages on their own for what ever reason. It is a bargain at the price so just get it!